From audience to race driver, China's 1st F1 star Zhou Guanyu shines at home

As the Shanghai International Circuit hosted the 20th Formula One Chinese Grand Prix over the weekend, all eyes were on 25-year-old local hero Zhou Guanyu, China's first-ever F1 driver and the first Chinese driver to complete a home race.

"Without the Shanghai circuit, there would be no start to my dream," said Zhou. It was here in 2005 that 6-year-old Zhou witnessed the thrill of F1 racing for the first time, watching in awe as Fernando Alonso of Renault blasted across the finish line to take victory. "I wouldn't be standing on the grid 20 years later if not for this race putting China on motorsport's map."

That day birthed an obsession that quickly accelerated. By age 8, Zhou's go-kart skills propelled him onto an elite international level, and he went abroad to hone his craft thanks to his victory at the 2010 national karting championship.